Take a peek inside the National Guard Armory

Published: Saturday, August 31, 2013 at 03:57 PM.

CRESTVIEW — Ever wonder what goes on behind the doors of the National Guard Armory?

On Sept. 7 the public will have a chance to see just what the Army National Guard’s 870th Engineer Company (Sapper) is up to and how the 100 or so soldiers work to serve their country.

“Most people don’t realize what we actually do,” Staff Sgt. Steven Barrow said. “It’s some pretty neat stuff we get to work with and do, but we’re little known around here.”

The combat engineers returned in May from an 11-month deployment to Afghanistan, where they were charged with route clearance — making the roads safe for people to travel on. At home, they oversee demolitions and provide other support for the military.

“We’re the guys if they need an obstacle removed, we go remove it,” Barrow said.

At the open house, soldiers will display the equipment they use to get the job done, including their weapons and vehicles.

They also will have recruiters on hand. The 779th Engineer Battalion, of which they are a part, is trying to rebuild its force.

Barrow said many people don’t think of the National Guard when they go to sign up for the military, but that it’s a great option.

Most members work one weekend a month and two weeks a year, and are offered some of the best benefits of all the military branches, said Barrow, who joined the Guard when he was 17.

“I wanted to join the military but I didn’t know if I wanted to do it every day of my life,” he said.

Now he works full time for the Guard and already has served 24 years.

The weekend also will be the first time all members of the unit have been together for a drill since they returned from Afghanistan.

Crestview Mayor David Cadle plans to stop by to welcome them home.

CHECK IT OUT: The National Guard Armory at 1518 E. James Lee Blvd. in Crestview will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

CRESTVIEW — Ever wonder what goes on behind the doors of the National Guard Armory?

On Sept. 7 the public will have a chance to see just what the Army National Guard’s 870th Engineer Company (Sapper) is up to and how the 100 or so soldiers work to serve their country.

“Most people don’t realize what we actually do,” Staff Sgt. Steven Barrow said. “It’s some pretty neat stuff we get to work with and do, but we’re little known around here.”

The combat engineers returned in May from an 11-month deployment to Afghanistan, where they were charged with route clearance — making the roads safe for people to travel on. At home, they oversee demolitions and provide other support for the military.

“We’re the guys if they need an obstacle removed, we go remove it,” Barrow said.

At the open house, soldiers will display the equipment they use to get the job done, including their weapons and vehicles.

They also will have recruiters on hand. The 779th Engineer Battalion, of which they are a part, is trying to rebuild its force.

Barrow said many people don’t think of the National Guard when they go to sign up for the military, but that it’s a great option.

Most members work one weekend a month and two weeks a year, and are offered some of the best benefits of all the military branches, said Barrow, who joined the Guard when he was 17.

“I wanted to join the military but I didn’t know if I wanted to do it every day of my life,” he said.

Now he works full time for the Guard and already has served 24 years.

The weekend also will be the first time all members of the unit have been together for a drill since they returned from Afghanistan.

Crestview Mayor David Cadle plans to stop by to welcome them home.

CHECK IT OUT: The National Guard Armory at 1518 E. James Lee Blvd. in Crestview will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.